Most surprising player: Chris Phillips, his lazy stick-poke-swinging checks are down 33% and so are his eyerolls/look toward the arena roof.

Comeback player: Sergei Gonchar, surprisingly good.

Slow starter: Erik Karlsson, only has 3 points in first two games and Team 1200 callers rage against him.

Fast starter: Colin Greening

Doghouse candidate: Erik Karlsson (with fans), who expect him to get 1.5-2 points a game and blame for everything. Some fans even question his commitment to an "Ottawa lifestyle and work ethic" (whatever THAT means!) because he wears flashing clothers (think Ray Emery Part II)

Rookie defenseman to crack roster first: Patrick Wiercioch

Trade for a defenseman early or wait and see: Wait and See

Trade bait: Zack Smith or Guillaume Latendresse when team falls out of contention

Division team Ottawa will have most trouble with: TOronto...Phil Kessel just seems to have our number :( :(